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Youngest Faircrest and the Search for a Sorcerer
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jun 26For fans of the best-selling series How to Train your Dragon, look no further for your next epic fantasy quest.
It is the day of Deciding in the swampy town of Bogsmarsh, and awkward twelve-year-old Youngest Faircrest is deemed a dearth – the most undesirable profession. Distraught by his destiny and determined to change his fate, Youngest, along with his best friend Agnes and a shape-shifting piglet Satchel, plunge into the dark forest on the hunt for an ancient sorcerer and lost magic. Could it be that Youngest is more remarkable than he's been made to feel, and capable of more than he ever dreamed?
This debut audiobook by award-winning comedy writer Ollie George Clark is a perfect blend of humour, adventure, and heart woven to create a spellbinding story of courage, friendship, and self-discovery that readers will treasure.
Ollie George Clark, an award-winning writer across stage, screen, and radio, is now making his mark in children’s books with his debut, Youngest Faircrest and the Search for the Sorcerer. Ollie grew up searching for stories that looked like his own – now he is creating them for the next generation. With accolades including the British Comedy Guide Sitcom Competition 2022 and Soho House Hot Seat, Ollie's talent for storytelling is undeniable.
2026 Ollie George Clark (P) 2026 DK Audio
It is the day of Deciding in the swampy town of Bogsmarsh, and awkward twelve-year-old Youngest Faircrest is deemed a dearth – the most undesirable profession. Distraught by his destiny and determined to change his fate, Youngest, along with his best friend Agnes and a shape-shifting piglet Satchel, plunge into the dark forest on the hunt for an ancient sorcerer and lost magic. Could it be that Youngest is more remarkable than he's been made to feel, and capable of more than he ever dreamed?
This debut audiobook by award-winning comedy writer Ollie George Clark is a perfect blend of humour, adventure, and heart woven to create a spellbinding story of courage, friendship, and self-discovery that readers will treasure.
Ollie George Clark, an award-winning writer across stage, screen, and radio, is now making his mark in children’s books with his debut, Youngest Faircrest and the Search for the Sorcerer. Ollie grew up searching for stories that looked like his own – now he is creating them for the next generation. With accolades including the British Comedy Guide Sitcom Competition 2022 and Soho House Hot Seat, Ollie's talent for storytelling is undeniable.
2026 Ollie George Clark (P) 2026 DK Audio
Audible Audio
Expected publication June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 11, 2026
Youngest Faircrest is the youngest in a large family. He’s generally overlooked and isn’t sure quite where he fits in. On “Deciding Day” when his future will be determined, his results are worse than he could have imaged. So he strikes out to prove he’s more than what others say he is: remarkably unremarkable. Accompanying him is his best friend (and the story’s narrator) Agnes and an adorable piglet named Satchel who isn’t afraid to speak, I mean…“Oink”, up when necessary.
The story is a heartwarming adventure of courage, friendship, and self-discovery. Youngest experiences intense anxiety attacks, and with the steady support of his friends, he learns to work through them. All the major and minor characters have standout personalities. Who doesn’t love a mom with a sword, right?
The artwork is whimsical and does a wonderful job establishing the book’s tone—and, interestingly, it never shows our narrator’s face (a reveal for later books?). That said, the writing is just as effective at setting the mood. It’s just the right balance of exposition and escapade.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s enchanting, sweet, and a truly fun adventure. It’s well suited for readers ages 8–12, while still offering adults a lighthearted fantasy escape. I was especially charmed by its encouraging message, sympathetic characters, and atmospheric setting. And Satchel the piglet? Be prepared, he’s even cuter than you may be imagining.
I received a free advanced copy of this book. This has not influenced my review or the opinions expressed therein.
The story is a heartwarming adventure of courage, friendship, and self-discovery. Youngest experiences intense anxiety attacks, and with the steady support of his friends, he learns to work through them. All the major and minor characters have standout personalities. Who doesn’t love a mom with a sword, right?
The artwork is whimsical and does a wonderful job establishing the book’s tone—and, interestingly, it never shows our narrator’s face (a reveal for later books?). That said, the writing is just as effective at setting the mood. It’s just the right balance of exposition and escapade.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s enchanting, sweet, and a truly fun adventure. It’s well suited for readers ages 8–12, while still offering adults a lighthearted fantasy escape. I was especially charmed by its encouraging message, sympathetic characters, and atmospheric setting. And Satchel the piglet? Be prepared, he’s even cuter than you may be imagining.
I received a free advanced copy of this book. This has not influenced my review or the opinions expressed therein.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I hurtled through this book. It’s a middle grade fantasy by Ollie George Clark. It’s full of quirky detail, humour and adventure, all wrapped up in a (grey) cloak of heart.
The illustrations by Tom Knight and overall book design are fantastic- such an appealing package. (Final cover to be revealed.)
Youngest Faircrest is the youngest child in a large family & is overlooked as such by most of his family. To them, he’s a bit predictable, a bit unremarkable… he’s also quite a bit underestimated. Soon, more events, of increasing importance, consolidate Youngest’s growing sense of inadequacy until he is pushed to his limits. He will prove himself or at least make a name for himself by trying. Better to be known as a failure than a nothing?
I absolutely loved the use of names, especially Youngest’s siblings & his mega little piglet sidekick. You just know the author had a lot of fun here. The characters behind the names are full of substance too- especially our young leads.
The narrator, Agnes, is a natural- as the Decider can plainly see. I mean she is a ‘Witterer’. Her storytelling is full of witty asides, addresses direct to the reader, in-jokes and commentary, which makes reading this book feel like you are personally connected with the protagonists. Young readers will love this.
From the historical back story, to the traditions and culture of Bogsmarsh (Hograb, anyone?), the world building is really fun and detailed. And there are lots of elements I can see being expanded upon in the subsequent books.
Bogsmarsh and its surrounding area is a great setting, populated with all sorts of quirky characters and creatures. There are lots of exciting episodes throughout the book and some big surprises towards the end, with big consequences for Bogsmarsh! There’s so much scope for the rest of the series & I look forward to reading on.
You’ll enjoy this if you enjoy books by Piers Torday- quirky characterisation, fantastic world building, adventure; Inkbound by P Leathley & Grumpfort by J Hammond - fated futures, humour, great character names.
The illustrations by Tom Knight and overall book design are fantastic- such an appealing package. (Final cover to be revealed.)
Youngest Faircrest is the youngest child in a large family & is overlooked as such by most of his family. To them, he’s a bit predictable, a bit unremarkable… he’s also quite a bit underestimated. Soon, more events, of increasing importance, consolidate Youngest’s growing sense of inadequacy until he is pushed to his limits. He will prove himself or at least make a name for himself by trying. Better to be known as a failure than a nothing?
I absolutely loved the use of names, especially Youngest’s siblings & his mega little piglet sidekick. You just know the author had a lot of fun here. The characters behind the names are full of substance too- especially our young leads.
The narrator, Agnes, is a natural- as the Decider can plainly see. I mean she is a ‘Witterer’. Her storytelling is full of witty asides, addresses direct to the reader, in-jokes and commentary, which makes reading this book feel like you are personally connected with the protagonists. Young readers will love this.
From the historical back story, to the traditions and culture of Bogsmarsh (Hograb, anyone?), the world building is really fun and detailed. And there are lots of elements I can see being expanded upon in the subsequent books.
Bogsmarsh and its surrounding area is a great setting, populated with all sorts of quirky characters and creatures. There are lots of exciting episodes throughout the book and some big surprises towards the end, with big consequences for Bogsmarsh! There’s so much scope for the rest of the series & I look forward to reading on.
You’ll enjoy this if you enjoy books by Piers Torday- quirky characterisation, fantastic world building, adventure; Inkbound by P Leathley & Grumpfort by J Hammond - fated futures, humour, great character names.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Youngest Faircrest is dismayed to be judged as outstanding only in terms of how unremarkable he is at The Deciding held at his hometown of Bogmarsh. The entire experience leaves him with more questions than answers - quite apart from the earlier questions he already had regarding why anyone would build a town on top of a boggy marshy mess!
So, it is just as well that he has intrepid companions like his best friend Agnes and his porcine pet to accompany him on his (as it turns out) actual Hero's Journey to restore the magic stolen from his swampy home. Because, conveniently, Agnes turns out to be an excellent chronicler of Youngest's about-to-happen exploits!
This is a delightful story. Packed with humour and charm, it will be enjoyed by any reader of discernment.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
So, it is just as well that he has intrepid companions like his best friend Agnes and his porcine pet to accompany him on his (as it turns out) actual Hero's Journey to restore the magic stolen from his swampy home. Because, conveniently, Agnes turns out to be an excellent chronicler of Youngest's about-to-happen exploits!
This is a delightful story. Packed with humour and charm, it will be enjoyed by any reader of discernment.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Entertaining children’s fantasy story. The narrative is perfect for the intended age range. The book length is good too, I liked the fact the main character, Youngest, hero of the story, is a boy but the narrative is presented from his friend Agnes’, view point. So I think all children will be captured by the story.
There’s a ‘don’t put false labels, everyone has something to offer given the chance’ plot. Lots of humour also helps the story along.ssome of the family names in particular are worth a chuckle - parents naming children, it would raise your eyebrows. And also an always cute, sometimes piglet, oink - read the book and to find out what I mean. It’s worth it!
Thank you to DK and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
There’s a ‘don’t put false labels, everyone has something to offer given the chance’ plot. Lots of humour also helps the story along.ssome of the family names in particular are worth a chuckle - parents naming children, it would raise your eyebrows. And also an always cute, sometimes piglet, oink - read the book and to find out what I mean. It’s worth it!
Thank you to DK and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a debut middle-grade book, of what I hope will become a lengthy series. The tale is good partly by Agnes (Youngest's best friend) and partly in the third person.
Youngest is the youngest sibling and on the day of his Deciding is given the worst possible cloak, that of a dearth. So he runs away to prove himself. He's not gone far before the practical Agnes joins him and they have quite a few hair-raising adventures, before returning home to save their town.
It's a fun book with plenty to talk about. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Youngest is the youngest sibling and on the day of his Deciding is given the worst possible cloak, that of a dearth. So he runs away to prove himself. He's not gone far before the practical Agnes joins him and they have quite a few hair-raising adventures, before returning home to save their town.
It's a fun book with plenty to talk about. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a really fun adventure story, some good magic thrown in. Delightful characters and a perfect piggy sidekick. I really enjoyed this book and the world within it. Looks like there will be more in the series, so I'll be on the lookout for those!
Did Not Finish
May 10, 2026Didn’t really dnf I just couldn’t read the arc because it was static on the netgalley app so couldn’t make the text larger or change the background colour. Not any issue with the story. I think it sounds great and I will be keeping my eye out for it in paperback
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love this one. It is adorably illustrated and the story is full of humour and warmth. I love the piggy. The language is very accessible as well, so it is perfect for its intended readers.
Review of advance copy
Phenomenal! Was on the edge of my seat constantly, never wanted to put it down! Can't wait for more!!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews